A wealthy property developer is on trial for allegedly strangling his wife during a heated argument that followed a family dinner at their £3 million home in Poole, Dorset. Paul Pressland, 63, is accused of intentionally strangling his wife, Gemma Martin, 52, after a disagreement about her filing for divorce. The court heard that Pressland had consumed nearly a bottle of red wine before the dinner with his in-laws. Ms Martin claimed her husband had been unfaithful, which led to the argument. Prosecutors allege that Pressland pinned his wife against an en suite bathroom door, placed his hands around her throat, and squeezed until her eyes "bulged," before dropping her to the floor. Ms Martin initially told Pressland she would not report the incident if he granted her a divorce, but two days later, she decided to report it to police. She asked her 19-year-old son Henry to take pictures of the bruises and marks she alleged were caused by Pressland. She also changed the locks of their home while Pressland was away in London. Pressland denies the charge of intentional strangulation and claims he acted in self-defense. The couple had been together for about 10 years but had only been married for two years at the time of the incident. They lived on the exclusive Sandbanks peninsula with two of Ms Martin's children from a previous relationship. Ms Martin said she had told her husband she wanted a divorce but had not mentioned filing for one on the grounds of his adultery. She stated that on the day of the argument, 1 December 2024, she had participated in a charity swim, after which her parents joined them for a roast dinner prepared by Pressland. She noted that Pressland began drinking before she returned home, as she observed a bottle of wine was three-quarters empty. Ms Martin described the dinner as "in good spirits" but said Pressland's mood changed after her parents left around 8:30 pm. She said they had a heated discussion, and during the argument, she threw a slipper at Pressland after he walked into the spare bedroom. Pressland allegedly returned to the main bedroom, pushed her, grabbed her arm, and the two struggled. She claimed he punched her in the ribs and back, and she lashed out, scratching him. She said he then pushed her against the en suite bathroom sliding door, put his hands around her throat, and squeezed, causing her to feel as if she was going to lose consciousness. She described the experience as terrifying and said she felt overpowered. After about five seconds, he let go, and she fell to the floor, screaming and hyperventilating. The court heard that her two sons rushed into the room and called their grandparents to return while Pressland went into the spare bedroom. The next morning, Ms Martin spoke to Pressland and told him she would not report the incident but wanted a divorce. She said he apologized. Pressland then left for work in London, and she spent the day on the sofa. It was the following day that she decided to call the police. Prosecutor Harriet Summerhayes described the case as one of domestic violence, noting that the couple had been together for a long time, and the argument turned physical after Pressland learned of the divorce filing through a friend. She said the argument escalated after Pressland threw his wedding ring across the room. Defense lawyer Graham Gilbert suggested that Pressland had tried to end the conversation and go to bed alone in the spare room, and Ms Martin followed him, attacking him by throwing the slipper and hitting him in the face and upper body. He alleged that Ms Martin's injuries were sustained during the struggle as Pressland tried to defend himself. Ms Martin denied that Pressland's version of events occurred. The trial continues.